Page 79 of Finding Redemption

“You wanted her?” Once our plates are full, I point toward the door on the other side of the room.

“I can see the error of my ways now. I knew it wrong on so many levels, but I was in deep and couldn’t see my way through it.” I open the door, allowing her to walk through. “Take any seat you’d like.”

“Wow, this is great a place. Is it your apartment or your sex lair?”

The lower half of the place is my living quarters. I have a sectional and a bed with an entertainment center and private bath. She sits in the middle of the couch. I join her.

“Sex lair? Seriously, I can’t wait to see what your imagination comes up with next.” She grins devilishly. “It’s okay for now. I plan to build sometime in the future.”

“So, what happened? And you gotta tell me who she is.”

I try to steady my breathing as my heart races. “Well, she showed up the morning of our wedding on my doorstep. She pointedly asked me if I had lied. When I refused to answer, she told me she already knew the truth. And then when I did talk, I said everything that came to mind. So bad, like word vomit. She walked away. I tried to stop her by putting my hands on her. I’m ashamed. It never should’ve gone that far and I’ll hate myself for eternity.

“I moved away, went to counseling, and have loathed my very existence for a while now. I did get to apologize to her and her husband. It does little to ease the pain I’ve caused to all of them, including her family. But they’re great people, treat me good, better than I treat myself.”

“Wow. This explains so much about you. You should’ve told me sooner.” She plays with her food, avoiding eye contact. “Who is she?”

“Thayer Hamilton Turner. Ava’s ex, Brannon, works with her husband Hardy and her brother, One.” That did the trick.

Her head snaps up. “One? As in Lea’s husband, One? As in, you work at their center?” She blinks rapidly, stuttering with every word.

“Yeah, that would be her oldest brother. Chord, the youngest, is Riley’s age.”

“Wait.” She puts her hand up. “You were at their gala and they were at the party Saturday.”

“What can I say, we’re a tight-knit bunch.” I drop my hands in concession. “We grew up together. We’re friends. Well, family really.”

“So, what did you keep from her?” And here’s where I vomit.

“I had Hardy investigated. I was told he had fathered a child with a girl who had died from a drug overdose before giving birth. I told her Hardy knew and was keeping it from her. He wasn’t the father and shit hit the fan. The same investigator sold them information. Said I fathered the child and pinned it on him.”

“Damn.” She sits forward, not meeting my gaze. “Did you? Are you the father?”

“No, I wasn’t the child’s father either. I paid for false information, the same false information Thayer received. The guy did it all for the money. I took the girl’s family to court to have testing done, not to prove my innocence but to find out if the child was mine. To say I was shocked is putting it mildly.”

“Wow, what a fucking mess.” Her hand is splayed on her chest as she allows it all to sink in. “Wait a sec, so you’ve been beating yourself up over this shit all this time?”

I swallow past the bile, setting my plate on the table. “I have. I’ve hated myself for so long. I’ve drowned my sins in liquor, fucked around, just about thrown my life away. I’m humiliated by my actions, what I’ve brought on my family. I’ve fucked it all up.”

She whirls around, glaring at me. “You about done?”

“With fucking up?” She nods. “Yeah, I’m damn tired of it.”

“Good, I have better plans for you.” She winks at me.

My chest tightens. “Come on, none of this bothers you? Nothing I’ve told you gives you pause to rethink being here?”

“Sure, it does. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t but we’re lawyers, Walker. We’re analytical. We prove people guilty and innocent. There’s good and bad in everyone. It’s what you do with it that makes you who you are. Did you continue to act like an ass?” She eyes me. “Not always but you got help and moved on to make a better life.” She sits back on the couch.

“You should run, Reese. I have control issues, among others. I think we both know you deserve better than me.” I rub the back of my neck, twisting it to relieve the tension.

“Walker, it’s not who you are. People make mistakes, terrible mistakes but people change. They all speak highly of you, although guarded, which they have every right to be. You need to forgive yourself.” I have no words, Reese leaves me disoriented. “Although, I understand why you’re at the center now. It’s a part of your self-imposed hate everything about yourself.”

“People are made up of layers. Some aren’t as ugly as others but they’re still scary.” I avert my eyes, running my hand through my hair. “What about you, Destiny Reese? Tell me one of your darkest secrets.”

“Hmm, let me see what I’d like to reveal about my sordid past.” She taps her chin below pursed lips.

“Are you picking on me?”